integration.

These past few weeks have included in class discussions of science and art. The two have been interconnected for centuries and continue to grow together in this modern age.

Depicted below is a literal example of this concept in action. These figures, studies in the Natural History Museum of Florence, are depictions of the internal human body. The bodies were all posed differently making them into works of art that combine the aesthetic and scientific realms. 

This may have been the extent of scientific innovation in the 17th century, however modern technology has bloomed significantly. The turn of the 21st century opened up a whole new realm of artistic capabilities through scientific discovery and technological innovations that have provided endless mediums to create with. Some argue that technology is ruining the craft of art but I would have to strongly disagree. Science and technology are only expanding the artistic mind in new ways. After all, hasn't art almost always been known for innovation and pushing the boundaries throughout history?

when in rome.

(The Pantheon)

Traveling to the magnificent Italian capital this past weekend was nothing short of an overwhelming experience. For the past few months I have been studying the history of Renaissance as well as Ancient Greek and Roman art, all building up for the moment to experience them first-hand. I realized that no matter how hard someone tries to explain the ingenuity, magnificence, or jaw-dropping essence of these works they will never even begin to come close. 

(Laocoön - The Vatican)

(The Colosseum)

(Michelangelo's Pieta - St. Peter's Basilica)

(Caravaggio's Calling of Saint Matthew and Inspiration of Saint Matthew - Contarelli Chapel)

(Trevi Fountain)

I felt as though I was a part of history as I wandered from each masterpiece to the next. To me, this is one of the main purposes of art; to encapsulate the viewer and make them feel as though they are a part of the work and the time period that it represents. Without art, the history of the world as we know it would be significantly different and thin. Art leaves a visual mark on a society that can be viewed and interpreted for thousands of generations to come. 

medium.

This weekend was a unique, inspiring, and eye-opening trip to Venice. Having the chance to experience the Biennale was one that I will always remember. Though there were a lot of modern exhibits that I could not understand or begin to appreciate, it was an illuminating insight into the realm of current art trends, which is important for every artist to keep in touch with.

I found a few of the works/exhibits in the museum absolutely incredible, some being completely innovative, others just beautiful in their simplicity. I chose to show some of my favorites below in order to discuss the diverse mediums through which they were created, a topic of discussion for the past few weeks in our art class. 

The work above was one of a series of sculptures carved entirely out of books. I was immediately drawn to these figures because of the creative medium utilized as well as the incredible accuracy of the sculpting. It is hard to believe that one could take a stack of books and turn it into an expressive sculpture of a human head.

This next piece was probably my favorite of the day. The artist hand sewed the figure of a woman into a piece of sheer fabric, leaving elongated strands that extended throughout the room. I was immediately drawn to this piece and viewed it as an innovative and uncommon form of drawing. 

This life-size bronze statue was incredibly crafted and displayed. Being the only work in a dark room, the piece was illuminated beautifully. I was drawn to the simplistic yet stunning curves of the piece.

Yet another sculpture, or sculptures I should say, that were absolutely breath-taking were apart of a large series of realistic faces of emotions atop of intricately ragged models of the human body. Each figure in the room was completely unique and clearly evoked different emotions, something that would have been extremely difficult to achieve through most other mediums.

Finally, this work, along with about six other paintings, immediately caught my attention simply because of their normality. After a long day of attempting to interpret abstract installations and paintings these were a breath of fresh air. The artist elegantly depicted a series of women with incredible color schemes and stylistic paint strokes. I immediately fell in love with this series, I will always have a slight pull towards painting no matter how creative artists can get with new mediums. 

The most compelling aspect of the Biennale was ironically exactly what we have been discussing in class lately, the use of mediums. I found that the inventive use of mediums, new or old, perfectly diversified this show. I personally was drawn to multiple forms, painting, sculpture, multi-media, collage, photography, and many more. This show merely intensified the non-existence of a truly superior medium.